“I have reviewed and approved ‘Sweeney Todd’ production adaptations submitted by the drama department that address my concerns as well as the concerns raised by others,” Superintendent Earl Metzler said in a written statement. “Our students will perform the school edition of ‘Sweeney Todd’ created by Sondheim for Music Theatre International. This version includes changes to the script and the song lyrics to tone down the overt sexual references and the use of more gruesome visuals.”

Metzler said the adaptations remain true to the themes of injustice and human suffering. He also said the drama department will give students the chance to participate in an alternative production.

More than 300 people attended a meeting last week about the high school canceling its production of “Sweeney Todd” in 2015. Metzler said concerns about the musical’s content were raised in the spring of 2013.

Metzler and a few others said the tone of the musical is too dark for high school students. The cannibalistic theme might not be PG enough for their town, opponents said. Other parents and students are outraged the students might not be allowed to perform the musical.

One Timberlane parent started a Facebook page in support of the production.

Metzler said he wanted to make sure the production was “palatable to the community at large.”

“We live in an age where visual and special effects have become a production's attraction; not the actors and actresses that pour their hearts and souls into their performances,” Metzler said. “Here at Timberlane, our attraction, our mission and our focus, are our students. I believe that Timberlane's 2015 production of ‘Sweeney Todd’ will far surpass our previous productions, not because of any script or prop adaptations, but because of our students' determination to succeed and their passion for the arts.”